Respiratory Infection among Balwadi Teachers in Selected Community at Coimbatore District

 

Nisha. S

Associate Professor, RVS College of Nursing, Coimbatore

*Corresponding Author Email:

 

ABSTRACT

An experimental study was undertaken  to assess the effectiveness of training module regarding knowledge and health practice for prevention of respiratory infection among Balwadi teachers in  selected community at Coimbatore district. A sample of 15 Balwadi teachers were chosen through Convenient Sampling Technique. The conceptual frame work was adopted from Ludwig von Bertanlanfy systems theory (1968).  A Structured Questionnaire was used to collect the data  which consists of 3 parts, part I include demographic Characteristics, Part II include 15 items for the assessment of Knowledge and 10 items for the assessment of healthy practice. Descriptive and Inferential Statistics were used to analyze the data. The study reveals that before the intervention, the mean Knowledge score were  57.33% and after the intervention the mean score had increased to 84%. In the aspect of health Practice before intervention the mean practice score were 59.3% and after  intervention the practice score were 92% ; which shows both the Knowledge ( t= 12.39, df=14, p≤0.05) and health Practice score (t=15.84, df=14, p≤0.05) had increased significantly after the intervention. The study concludes that training module were effective .

 

KEY WORDS: Respiratory infection, Balwadi teachers, Knowledge, Health practice, Training module

 


INTRODUCTION:

Children are the wealth of tomorrow; take care of them if you wish to have a strong India”

                                                                Jawaharlal Nehru.

 

Respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are infections of the respiratory tract and the alveoli of the lungs caused by invasion of viruses, bacteria and fungi (Bergmann, 1983). Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most important viral agent causing severe respiratory disease in young children.

 

The children of today will be the adults of tomorrow. By focussing on children today,to change behaviour, future generations can be stronger and healthier. Balwadi Schools being the ideal setting for promoting learning for balwadi teachers on prevention of respiratory infections  for children in which the  health of children can serve as a community model for health and environmental care.

 

Anganwadi (Balwadi) is a government sponsored child-care and mother-care center in India.

 

It caters to children in 0-6 years age group. The word means "courtyard shelter" in

 

Hindi. They were started by the Indian government in 1975 as part of Integrated Child Development Services program to combat child hunger and malnutrition

 

The Anganwadi system is mainly managed by an Anganwadi worker. She is a health worker chosen from the community and is provided 4 months training in health, nutrition and child-care. She is in charge of an Anganwadi which covers a population of 1000.There are an estimated 1.053 million Anganwadi centers employing 1.8 million mostly-female workers and helpers across the country. They provide outreach services to poor families in need of immunization, healthy food, clean water, clean toilets and a learning environment for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers. They also provide similar services for expectant and nursing mothers. According to government figures, anganwadies reach about 58.1 million children and 10.23 million pregnant or lactating women. Anganwadies are India's primary tool against the scourges of child.

 

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

The study was experimental for balwadi teachers aim to promote knowledge and good health practice in prevention of respiratory infections for children

 

Objectives

1.      To assess and compare the level of  knowledge  on  prevention of respiratory infection in children among balwadi teachers before and after intervention. 

2.      To assess and compare the level of health practice for the   prevention of respiratory infection in children among balwadi teachers before and after intervention

 

Hypothesis

·        There is significant difference in the level of knowledge and health practice on prevention of respiratory infection in children among balwadi teachers after intervention

 

Research Methodology

One group pretest post test experimental design were adopted .Setting of the study is Balwadi in selected community areas at Coimbatore district. The population selected for the study were balwadi teachers.A sample of 15 Balwadi teachers were chosen through Convenient Sampling Technique. The conceptual frame work was adopted from Ludwig von Bertanlanfy systems theory (1968). Training module was developed on respiratory tract infection using posters and slide presentation. It starts with Introduction about Respiratory tract, Definition, Causes,Transmission, Clinical features and preventive measures of respiratory infection.

 

Tool

A Structured Questionnaire was used to collect the data  which consists of 3 parts, part I include demographic Characteristics, Part II include 15 items for the assessment of Knowledge and 10 items for the assessment of healthy practice

 

RESULTS

In teaching experience, balwadi  teachers had  60 %  in 2 to 4 years. 46.7 % were below 30 years and 53.3% were above 30 years.In area of living 66.7% were from Urban and remaining from rural area.

 

In level of knowledge 93% had fair knowledge before intervention and after intervention  100% had good knowledge . In level of practice 53.3% and 40% had fair and good level of practice where all 100% had good level of practice

 

The study revealed that before the intervention, the mean Knowledge score were  57.33% and after the intervention the score had increased to 84%. In the aspect of health Practice before intervention the mean practice score were 59.3% and after  intervention score were 92% ; which shows both the Knowledge ( t= 12.39, df=14, p≤0.05) and health Practice score (t=15.84, df=14, p≤0.05) had increased significantly after the intervention

 

Experience

Less than 2 years  13.3%

2 to 4 Years   60%

More than  4 Years  20%

 

AGE IN YEARS

46.7% below 30 yrs.

53.3% above 30 years

 

AREA OF LIVING

 

Rural  33.3%

Urban 66.7%


 


Mean score on Knowledge and health Practice Regarding Respiratory Tract Infection

 

Mean score and standard deviation on Knowledge and health Practice Regarding Respiratory Tract Infection and level of significance


 


 

Knowledge

Mean

Mean %

Std. Deviation

Paired t value

Table value P≤0.05

Before Intervention

8.6

57.00

1.12

12.36*

2.14

Df =14

After Intervention

12.6

84.00

0.91

Practice

Mean

Mean %

Std. Deviation

Paired t value

Table value P≤0.05

Before Intervention

5.93

59.3

1.28

15.84*

2.14

Df =14

After Intervention

9.2

92

0.77

 

 


Descriptive and Inferential Statistics were used to analyze the data

 

CONCLUSION

The study concludes that training module were effective as the level of knowledge and health practice on respiratory infection among balwadi teachers.

 

REFERENCES:

         Nelson,   Text Book Of Pediatrics”, 17TH edition, Read Elsevier India Private  Limited, mass ring road, New Delhi, page no 113-116.

         Dorothy R Marlow, Text Book Of Pediatrics”, 6th edition, published by Elsevier, 2006,page n   55-59

         Choi and lee et al association of respiratory infections , “The Association of Newly Identified Respiratory Viruses with Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Korean Children, 2000–2005”,01

         Suresh K Sharma “Nursing Research & Statistics” , 1 st edition published by Elsevier, 93-113

 

 

 

Received on 25.02.2014           Modified on 25.04.2014

Accepted on 30.04.2014           © A&V Publication all right reserved

Int. J. Nur. Edu. and Research 2(3): July- Sept. 2014; Page 196-198